Friends and Family (2001)

44% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(939 ratings)

Two Mafia gunmen give new meaning to the phrase "keeping it in the family" in this offbeat comedy. Danny (Christopher Gartin) and Stephen (Greg Lauren) are a pair of mob enforcers who see to it that no one crosses the Family and lives to tell about it. However, Danny and Stephen are hit men with a… More Two Mafia gunmen give new meaning to the phrase "keeping it in the family" in this offbeat comedy. Danny (Christopher Gartin) and Stephen (Greg Lauren) are a pair of mob enforcers who see to it that no one crosses the Family and lives to tell about it. However, Danny and Stephen are hit men with a difference -- they're also lovers; and while they know how to get rid of troublemakers, little things like cooking and sewing are not their strong suits. They find themselves thrown for a loop when Stephen's parents (Frank Pellegrino and Beth Fowler) stop by for an unexpected visit, which leaves them with a bit of explaining to do, about their occupations and their lifestyle. Friends and Family also features Tony Lo Bianco, Tovah Feldshuh, and Anna Maria Alberghetti. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Kristen Coury
Written By: Joseph Triebwasser
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Oct 21, 2003
Studio: Here Films

Critic Reviews

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
Which is worse? Lame jokes about gays or lame jokes about the mob?
Randy Cordova, Arizona Republic
There's no rhythm or style to any of it, just the dismal feeling that the filmmakers have seen La Cage Aux Folles and The Godfather too many times.
Dave Kehr, New York Times
An overloaded, slow-moving series of predictable jokes and forced situations.
Jorge Morales, Village Voice
First-timer Coury's fast pace can't outrun Joseph Triebwasser's predictable script, saddled with mobster clichés and queer stereotypes.
Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News
Predictable fun, but fun all the same.
Sheri Linden, Hollywood Reporter
Painless, sweet comedy.
Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly
You haven't lived until you've seen a bunch of straight goombas taking a crash course in swish history, the better to pose as employees of a catering company.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Is the movie finding its jokes in subverting the stereotypes or in the stereotypes themselves?
David Noh, Film Journal International
Makes the clobbering minds behind My Big Fat Greek Wedding seem the apotheosis of subtlety and nuance by comparison.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A passably entertaining comedy of accretion that doesn't amount to much.
Brandon Judell, PopcornQ
the making of Friends and Family must have been more than watching it, but not much more.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
"The Sopranos" meet "La Cage Aux Folles," with a heavy and happy emphasis on humor which camps up the gay stereotypes.
John Venable, Supercala.com
Never thought I'd say this about a film, but it's just not gay enough. Wait to rent it.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
Wants very much to mimic the screwball comedies of the forties with a gay twist, but the script and direction are simply too clumsy to carry it off.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
The movie is slick, the boys are gorgeous, and most of it is innocent fun, but the romp is spoiled by the subplot in very bad taste.
Laura Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Despite their missteps, first-timers Kristen Coury, as director, and writer Joseph Triebwasser create enough silliness to keep things amusing.
, E! Online
It's a dreary, 'when will it end' Birdcage rip-off.
Chuck Wilson, L.A. Weekly
Director Kristen Coury has made a technically polished first film, but her sense of comic timing and sexual politics is strictly borscht belt.